Transitional Rehabilitation Center

For a survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the transition to living in the community can be overwhelming, frustrating, and downright scary. The myriad of choices and demands of everyday living are often more than the individual can confidently handle. Yet, most survivors strive to regain some semblance of a normal and productive life.

Following inpatient rehabilitation, most individuals with a TBI need ongoing supportive services to help them adjust to their new limitations and become as independent as possible. The Transitional Rehabilitation Center (TRC) provides counseling, life skills training, cognitive groups, behavioral programming and social and recreational opportunities, along with whatever it may take to help participants begin the next phase of their life. Services are provided in an outpatient congregate setting, with the goals of improving or maintaining the participant’s skills and ability to live as independently as possible in the community, including a return to school or work, as appropriate. This service meets the designation of a Structured Day Program (SDP) as defined by the New York State TBI Waiver Program. Please refer to the links at the bottom of this page for further information about the TBI Waiver Program.

Upon admission to the program, participants receive a cognitive/behavioral assessment that serves as the basis for the individual and team members to develop a service plan. In collaboration with TRC staff, each participant is charged with assisting in the development of their detailed goal plans and attending team meetings. The staff collaborates with the participant, family, and team to ensure that all services are being provided efficiently and in accordance with their service plan.

An important focus of the Transitional Rehabilitation Center is independent living skills training. TRC staff provides training and assistance with self-care, medication management, memory skills, cognitive skills,  money management, and future planning. They also accompany participants on trips out into the community, including malls, drugstores, or supermarkets. There are fun trips too, such as going to the movies, seeing a play or going hiking, to encourage socialization and confidence and help to reorient survivors to “real life.” As they re-learn and practice skills they once took for granted, participants become more confident about their ability to succeed outside the protective day program environment.

Through daily cognitive groups, participants practice interpersonal communications and ways to reduce fear and anxiety. There is also education about the brain and how their brain was affected by their injury. Staff facilitates meetings and the participant’s progress will be measured.

With the support of the Transitional Rehabilitation Center and the HHH medical, psychological, and therapy staff, survivors of traumatic brain injury receive the vital support needed to reintegrate into the community.

For additional information, or to make a referral to the Transitional Rehabilitation Center, contact Dianne Wagner at Dianne.Wagner@helenhayeshosp.org or (845) 786-4044.

Helpful links:

• New York State Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver Information:
  • http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/longterm/tbi.htm
  • http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1111.pdf
• New York State TBI Resource Guide:
  • http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/injury_prevention/traumatic_brain_injury/